Abstract: A firearm assembly includes a stock and an action secured to the stock. The action includes a receiver, a barrel, and a recoil lug that is positionable adjacent a bearing seat of the stock. Various fastener assemblies are provided to assemble the action to the stock with the recoil lug firmly seated against the bearing seat, thus providing longitudinal and torsional stability to the firearm assembly. There is further provided a stock having a bedding portion that includes a surface forming a channel in the bedding block. Either the channel or the receiver includes a number of ribs extending therefrom that support the receiver in the bedding channel when the action is secured to the stock. There is also provided a stock having an action mounting insert. A compressible member is provided between the action mounting insert and the stock.

Abstract: The bolt of a blowback operated weapon is driven rearward by multiplying the area acted upon by pressurized gas generated by a subcaliber bulleted cartridge or a blank cartridge fired in a subcaliber barrel inserted into the weapon barrel and attached to the weapon barrel muzzle.

Abstract: An air bag inflator providing a source of gas, releasable upon command, to inflate a supplemental inflation restraint (SIR) system commonly known as an automobile air bag. Provided is a pressure vessel containing one or more separate chambers for the purpose of storing gaseous fuel(s) and gaseous oxidizer(s) or liquid fuel(s) and liquid oxidizer(s) under pressure with helium as the primary filler gas. The primary function of the helium gas is to serve as a kinetic damper to modulate and control the reaction rate of the fuel(s) and oxidizer(s). Because of its low mass, high thermal conductivity and high heat capacity for its mass, helium is an excellent filler gas. In the case of the gaseous fuel(s) and oxidizer(s) a single chamber is provided. In the case of liquid fuel(s) and oxidizer(s), two or more separate housings are provided for storing the liquid fuel(s) and oxidizer(s).

Abstract: The bolt of a blowback operated weapon is driven rearward by multiplying the area acted upon by pressurized gas generated by a subcaliber bulleted cartridge or a blank cartridge fired in a subcaliber barrel inserted into the weapon barrel and attached to the weapon barrel muzzle.

Abstract: A propulsion system to provide silent firing of a mortar weapon using standard and nonstandard mortar tubes or launch assemblies has been invented. The system utilizes a precision rupture disc mechanism to control combustion and energy release to effect consistent operation. The gases generatedd by combustion of the propellant charge are contained by the rupture disc which insures uniform and efficient propellant combustion. After rupture of the disc at a prescribed pressure, the projectile is accelerated by the expanding gases through the action of a piston on the warhead. The gases are retained within the projectile after accelerating the projectile, preventing release of high pressure gas and resulting in a silent launch condition.In a first embodiment the warhead and piston moves first and then the heavier cylinder is moved. In a second embodiment the cylinder moves with the warhead and picks up the lighter piston.

Abstract: The weapon bolt is driven rearward by gas pressure from a blank cartridge with the reaction being transmitted to the weapon frame through a spigot inserted through the barrel and attached to the weapon muzzle. Power is thereby provided to perform cycling of the weapon.

Abstract: A cartridge soft feed mechanism for presenting the cartridge to the chamber of a gun in such a way that the axis of the cartridge experiences no lateral or angular movement during chambering. The cartridge is telescoped into the chamber without ramping, reducing the probability of damage to the cartridge and reducing the chance of a chambering stoppage. The barrel is moved to a position and at such an angle during chambering that the cartridge is moved directly forward into the chamber, and then the barrel with the cartridge is moved into alignment with the moveable bolt for firing.

Abstract: This weapon has an axially moveable bolt which is removed from the path of an incoming cartridge so that the cartridge can be moved from its feed position directly along the axis of the bore into the gun chamber. After the bolt "disappears" from the path of the incoming ammunition, it then reappears behind the cartridge to move it along the barrel axis.

Abstract: As the primary mass is driven by gas trapped from the barrel of a weapon being fired, it unlocks the bolt and carries it rearward to start the cycling action to operate the weapon. Until the bolt is unlocked a smaller area of the primary mass is exposed to the gases and a larger area is used after the unlocking and the secondary mass is contacted.

Abstract: A high chamber pressure piston having the barrel relatively close vertically to the grip to reduce muzzle flip. The hammer and related components are in the bolt above the barrel, the bolt cover with sights do not move during firing, an ambidextrious bolt hold open and release assembly selectively holds the bolt in rearward position and the trigger mechanism has safety features to prevent misfiring and multiple firing.

Abstract: A lock and gas operating system for a weapon wherein propellant gas is trapped in an expansion chamber and then released by an actuator valve. The primary-secondary mass relationship in prior art devices is eliminated in this system which has no secondary mass. A reduction in weight and an increased cyclic rate are principle advantages.

Abstract: The invention is an improved apparatus for charging a weapon-type mechanism hile applying only approximately one-half the force required to move the mechanism forward. The apparatus consists of a charger assembly having a spring which is extended by an initial force applied to the charger assembly in a rearward direction and to a position where the charger assembly is latched to the barrel assembly of the weapon-type mechanism. At this position, a compression spring in the barrel assembly is fully extended.The barrel assembly and the charger assembly latched to it are then moved forward to compress the spring in the barrel assembly. As the forward position of the combined barrel assembly and charger assembly is reached, the spring in the barrel assembly being essentially fully compressed, the barrel assembly is latched in place at this position as the charger assembly is delatched from the barrel assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic spring combination to replace a long spring having surging chcteristics in high velocity application with reciprocating parts in automatic and semiautomatic weapons. On recoil a rod penetrates a fluid chamber, causing a piston to move against a shorter spring at a slower velocity proportional to the ratio of rod cross-sectional area to the piston cross-sectional area. The shorter spring returns the piston to move the rod hydraulically to return the reciprocating parts to battery position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the cyclic firing rate of automatic wens by providing a rate reducing assembly which transmits a portion of the linear recoil and counterrecoil forces of the weapon bolt carrier through a cam follower to rotate a receiver carried inertia drum having a helically curved cam groove.

Abstract: A cartridge soft feed mechanism for presenting the cartridge to the chamber f a gun in such a way that the axis of the cartridge experiences no lateral or angular movement during chambering. The cartridge is telescoped into the chamber without ramping, reducing the probability of damage to the cartridge and reducing the chance of chambering stoppage. The feed mechanism is inactivated by a chambered round sensor for refilling the magazine or removing and replacing a chambered round in order to permit barrel movement between its forward extended position and its rearward ready position. While the current weapon (30mm Multishot Grenade Launcher) utilizes a fixed breech and movable barrel, the mechanism is adaptable to movable breech fixed barrel weapons.

Abstract: The disclosed firearm comprises a stationary receiver or frame, a breech ck slidably mounted in the receiver and engaging a forward-facing abutment on the receiver in firing position, a barrel slidably mounted on the receiver for rectilinear and transverse motion at its rear end, interlocking abutments on the barrel and receiver engaged by the transverse motion for locking the barrel to the breech block in firing position. Forward movement of the barrel to open the breech during firing is prevented by the locking abutments and the firing reaction on the breech block. The barrel and breech block can be moved forward after firing to disengage the interlocking abutments and open the breech. A manually-operated extractor-ejector member is disclosed.

Abstract: A combination cartridge extractor-ejector device includes a bolt provided th loop of spring steel having a hook end and a spring end projecting therefrom. When the bolt is moved against the cartridge case in the gun breech, the hook slides over and engages the flanged rim of the case while the spring is compressed against the case end; and when the bolt is moved away from the breech sufficient to extract the engaged case, the spring causes the case to pivot on the hook sufficient to disengage the rim from the hook and thereby eject the case from the gun.

Abstract: A combined one piece cartridge case ejector and ejection spring useful in guns which have non-locking bolts for which conventional coil spring ejectors are not feasible. The device comprises a solid piece of elastic material such as hard rubber or nylon which is arranged in the path of the rearward travel of the spent cartridge case following firing and diametrically opposite from the extractor. This structure provides positive ejection of spent cartridge cases without damage thereto. The invention is of particular utility with cartridge cases with centers of gravity far to the rear thereof, which require high torque for positive ejection.